Chapter 10

Ivy's POV

“I’ll drop you home.”

The words came so simply, so calmly, that for a moment, I thought I had imagined them.

I blinked, looking up at him.

“That’s not necessary,” I said quickly, almost immediately. “I can manage. It’s not far.”

A lie.

It wasn’t exactly close either, and my body still felt weak, but I didn’t want to trouble him more than I already had.

He had done more than enough.

“I said I’ll drop you,” he repeated, his tone unchanged. It was not loud but it sounded like a decision that had already been made.

My fingers tightened slightly around the strap of my bag. “I really don’t want to inconvenience you…”

“You won’t.”

I hesitated for a second longer, then slowly nodded. “O-okay…”

Something about him made it hard to refuse, like saying no would be the strange thing, not the other way around.

The car was exactly what I expected. The kind of car people turned their heads to look at when it passed.

I stood there for a second, unsure of what to do.

“Get in.”

I glanced at him.

He was already opening the door, waiting.

My heart beat a little faster as I stepped closer and carefully got inside, trying not to look as nervous as I felt.

The interior was even more intimidating. Everything looked expensive, clean, and perfect. Nothing was out of place.

I sat stiffly, placing my bag on my lap as the door closed softly behind me.

A moment later, he entered from the other side.

The car started moving almost immediately.

I glanced at him briefly.

He was looking straight ahead, his expression calm, unreadable as always.

How could someone be so… composed?

“I…” I started, then stopped.

He didn’t look at me, but I knew he was listening.

“Thank you,” I said again, softer this time.

No response.

I swallowed. “For everything,” I added.

Still nothing.

My fingers fidgeted slightly. “I mean it,” I continued. “The hospital, the bills, the antenatal offer… everything. You didn’t have to…”

“Stop saying thank you.”

I froze.

My head turned toward him slightly. “What…?”

His gaze finally shifted to me, just for a second. “Stop saying thank you,” he repeated calmly. “You’ve said it enough.”

My lips parted slightly, but no words came out. I didn’t know what to say to that, because gratitude was all I had to offer. And now, even that felt like too much.

“I just…” I looked down at my hands. “I don’t know how else to respond.”

He didn’t say anything to that.

But somehow, the silence that followed didn’t feel as heavy as before.

The drive continued quietly. I watched the city pass by through the window, my thoughts slowly drifting.

It was like my life had taken a sudden turn I didn’t understand. My hand moved to my stomach again, resting there gently.

“I’ll be okay,” I whispered in my mind. “We’ll be okay.”

Because now, I wasn’t completely alone.

“We’re here.”

His voice pulled me back to reality.

I blinked, looking out the window. I felt a small shift of embarrassment in my chest. I didn’t want him to see this part of my life.

The car stopped.

I hesitated for a moment before opening the door and stepping out. The cool air hit my face, grounding me instantly.

“Thank you,” I said again, softer this time, almost automatically.

He stepped out as well.

And for the first time, I saw how his eyes moved. He was taking everything in. The building, the surroundings, the condition, and everything.

My chest tightened slightly.

“It’s not much,” I said quickly, forcing a small smile. “But it’s enough.”

“I don’t have anywhere else,” I replied quietly.

He didn’t respond immediately.

And that silence, made me feel uncomfortable. Like everything I had been trying to hold together was suddenly visible.

“I know it’s not… the best,” I added, my voice softer now. “But I’ll manage.”

Still no response, just that same unreadable expression.

I looked away, unable to hold his gaze any longer. Because for some reason, it felt like he could see through me.

“I should go,” I said, adjusting my bag again. “You’ve already done so much. I don’t want to take more of your time.”

I turned, taking a step toward the building.

“You can’t stay here.”

My feet stopped.

Slowly, I turned back. “What?”

He was looking at the building again, then at me. His expression hadn’t changed. But his eyes… there was something firm in them now.

“This place isn’t suitable,” he said calmly.

A small laugh escaped my lips, though there was no humor in it.

“Suitable?” I repeated. “It’s what I can afford.”

“That doesn’t make it acceptable.”

His words hit harder than I expected.

“I don’t have another option,” I said, my voice tightening slightly. “This is my reality.”

“It doesn’t have to be.”

My brows furrowed. “What does that mean?”

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he took a step closer, closing the distance between us again.

My heart skipped.

Why did he always do that so effortlessly?

Make everything feel… intense?

“Pack your things.”

My breath caught. “What…?”

“You heard me,” he said.

My mind went completely blank.

“Pack your things,” he repeated. “You’re not staying here.”

I stared at him, unable to process what he had just said.

“Wait… I don’t understand,” I said quickly. “What do you mean I’m not staying here? Where else am I supposed to go?”

“With me.”

The words were calm, but they shook me completely.

“With you?” I echoed, my voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded once. “Yes.”

My heart started racing. Everything inside me screamed confusion, fear, or should I call it shock?

“Why?” I asked.

Because nothing about this made sense. Why would he do this? Why would he go this far? Why me?

His gaze held mine.

“Because you need proper care,” he said. “And you won’t get it here.”

My throat tightened.

“This is too much,” I whispered. “You’ve already done more than anyone ever has. I can’t just… go with you. I don’t even know you.”

“That can change.”

The answer came without hesitation.

I shook my head slightly, taking a small step back. “I… I need to think.”

He didn’t move or pushed forward. He just watched me. Like he already knew I would say yes eventually. And that scared me, because a part of me was already considering it.

What it would feel like to be safe, and be taken care of without struggling alone.

My hand tightened around my bag as my heart beat faster.

Everything was changing too quickly, and I didn’t know if I was ready for it.

But one thing was clear… standing there, under the dim streetlight, with him looking at me like that. It felt like my life had reached a turning point.

And whatever decision I made next, would change everything, either for good or maybe for bad.